“Ch’injŏng chŏnhu Kojong ŭi tae oe kwan kwa tae Il chŏngch’aek” [Kojong’s perspectives on foreign relations and Japan policies around the beginning of his personal rule]

King Kojong's foreign policy orientation and policy towards Japan(1864 to 1876) This paper deals with King Kojong's foreign policy orientation and policy towards Japan during the period before the Kanghwa Treaty(1864 to 1876). during the first part of Kojong's reign(1864-1876) his father Taewongun controlled the Kingdom from 1864 to 1873 and Kojong himself assumed control in 1873. Before 1864 the Chosen government engaged in the suppression of Catholics and in a series of anti-western policies. Taewongun continued these policies. the french invasion of Korea(1866) and the subsequent American invasion(1871) served to only strengthen Korea's policy of 'isolation'. Relations with japan had continued but were disrupted during this period. This is because Japan adopted a disrespectful attitude towards Korea after the Meji Restoration(1868). During this period Kojong gradually expended his political power. through annual interviews with tribute officials returning from the Qing Empire he learned about foreign affairs. Before the American invasion(1871) Kojong followed Chosen's traditional policy of 'resisting the barbarians'. After 1871 King Kojong increased his knowledge about foreign countries, especially the Qing Empire and Japan. There were also like-minded officials who carefully reconsidered Chosen's anti-foreign policies. through royal study of the Confucian classics and interviews with tribute officials returning from the Qing Empire, King Kojong deepened his understanding of the dynasty and knew that in China power had moved to the emperor. Armed with these ideas Kojong took control of the Chosen government thus beginning the period of 'direct rule', Accordingly foreign policy changed during this period. Kojong recognized that the traditional Sino-Centric order was limited. He also intended to enter into direct relations with japan bypassing the traditional intermediary of Tsushima. Japan knew that Chosen's policy towards japan had changed after Kojong assumed 'direct control'. In order to seize the high ground in the ongoing negotiations japan used the issue of ceremonial protocol at Tongnae and caused the so-called 'Younjong island incident'. the Kanghwa Treaty followed these events. The Chosen government was quick to adopt the Kanghwa Treaty. This does not mean that the government was sufficiently prepared to enter into 'modern international relations'. for example, after reopening information to respond to problems such as the establishment of foreign embassies and trade terms.